Chronic pain can disrupt every aspect of your life and take a toll on your mental health. Many people develop chronic pain after a sports injury or developing a medical condition, but these symptoms are often caused by stress. Persistent, extreme stress has been related to everything from digestive issues to debilitating neck pain. Here's an overview of the relationship between chronic pain and stress.

What Is Stress?

When you experience sudden stress, your heart rate will immediately rise as your body releases cortisol and other hormones. In small doses, this reaction can increase your reaction time and give you the ability to respond to dangerous situations.

However, the human body wasn’t meant to deal with prolonged stress. If you’re constantly worried about finances or your career, your body may respond as if it’s constantly expecting a car accident. This can have serious consequences for your health, reducing your immune response and potentially triggering chronic pain.

How Does Stress Cause Chronic Pain?

Stress causes the muscles in your body to tense up. Over time, this tension can lead to serious back and neck pain, as well as poor sleep and other symptoms. Unfortunately, chronic pain adds to your stress, so your condition may only get worse over time.

The body’s stress reaction also wears down your immune system, making you more vulnerable to disease and infection. Not only will you likely get sick more often, you may experience inflammation that can cause muscle and joint pain.

How Can You Manage Stress?

Fortunately, natural techniques and lifestyle changes can help reduce the symptoms of chronic pain related to stress. While exercise may be one of the single best ways to combat stress, you may also consider speaking to a therapist, who can help you develop tools to manage stress successfully.

If you’re experiencing back or neck pain, a chiropractor can help by adjusting the alignment of your vertebrae. Reducing these pain symptoms can alleviate your stress levels, making all of your other techniques more effective.

For over 60 years, Farrell Chiropractic Clinic has been helping patients throughout Bureau County, IL, and the surrounding areas say goodbye to chronic pain. Whether you’re dealing with stress or have chronic neck pain, their friendly staff will provide the all-natural, effective treatment you need. Visit their website for more about their chiropractic care services, or call (815) 875-4408 to make an appointment today.